The Beast of Bodmin Moor
On the open moors of Cornwall, people describe a large black cat, far bigger than any house cat, slipping into the bracken.
What was reported
Since the 1980s, people on and around Bodmin Moor have reported seeing a large, black, panther-like cat. Photos and videos have been taken, though most are distant and unclear.
In 1995, the British government investigated the reports. Shortly afterwards, a boy found a large cat skull in a river on the moor, which seemed to settle the question until it was examined.
Explanations offered
The government investigation found 'no verifiable evidence' of big cats on the moor, and the skull turned out to come from a leopard-skin rug. Some people think escaped or released exotic cats could have lived on the moor for a time. Others think the sightings are of large domestic cats seen at a distance.
- When
- Reported since the 1980s
- Where
- Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, England
- Witnesses
- Farmers and walkers
- Status
- Disputed
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.